Malta Accessibility Legislation: Scope, Fines & Reporting

Malta regulates digital accessibility through the Accessibility of Products and Services Regulations (S.L. 427.114). Malta’s digital accessibility regulation is governed by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability. It has been enforced since June 2025, while the latest amendment to the regulation was made on 27 July 2022.

Scope of application

The scope of the regulations includes a variety of products and services:

• Consumer computer hardware systems — encompasses general-purpose hardware used by consumers
• Self-service terminals — covers payment terminals, automated teller machines (ATMs), ticketing, check-in machines, and interactive terminals
• Consumer terminal equipment — includes devices with interactive capabilities for electronic communications, accessing audiovisual media, and e-readers

The impacted services are broad, including:

• Electronic communications — ensures accessibility in communication services
• Audiovisual media access — addresses accessibility requirements for media consumption
• Transport services — covers websites, mobile applications, e-tickets, and informational screens related to transport
• Banking services — requires accessible digital banking platforms
• E-books and dedicated software — mandates inclusivity in digital reading materials and associated software
• E-commerce — focuses on accessible online shopping experiences

Additionally, the regulations pertain to emergency communication through the European emergency number “112”, ensuring accessibility in urgent situations.

Exceptions

The exceptions to the regulations include:

• Pre-recorded time-based media and office file formats — does not apply to content published before 28 June 2025
• Online maps and mapping services — excludes those with essential information accessible digitally
• Navigational maps — excludes those not provided in accessible digital formats
• Third-party content — does not apply to content not controlled by the economic operator
• Archived content — exempts content that has not been updated or edited after the specified date
• Microenterprises providing services are exempt from compliance with the accessibility requirements

Fines and penalties

Fines for non-compliance are imposed, though the exact amount is not predetermined and is instead decided by the market authority.

The authority takes into account several factors when determining the fine, such as:

• The nature and extent of the obligation
• The company’s ability to pay
• Other relevant considerations

As a result, larger companies with more serious and numerous issues face higher fines. Additionally, discrimination risks are taken into account, as individuals may file lawsuits under the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act, further increasing the potential for legal and financial consequences.

In practice this means the cost of non-compliance scales with the size of the organisation and the severity of the barriers — and that a private lawsuit can follow independently of any regulatory fine.

Reporting

Malta follows the EU-wide mandate for accessibility statements on public sector websites and digital services. These statements are essential for maintaining transparency and accountability.

The statement must be publicly available on the organisation’s website and must:

• Provide clear information on the accessibility status of the digital services — whether they meet the required standards, or an outline of existing accessibility issues.
• Detail the measures taken to improve accessibility, including any ongoing efforts or plans for remediation.
• Specify how users can report accessibility problems and request assistance.

Together these keep organisations accountable and transparent in their commitment to accessible digital experiences.

Complaints

Users who encounter accessibility barriers, or who wish to submit a complaint about non-compliance, can contact the competent authority — the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA):

• Email: info@mccaa.org.mt
• Website: mccaa.org.mt

Getting compliant with QualiBooth

Compliance with the Accessibility of Products and Services Regulations (S.L. 427.114) takes two things: evidence that your products and services conform, and a clear accessibility statement that holds up to scrutiny.

QualiBooth scans continuously against WCAG success criteria, so a barrier never sits long enough to attract a fine, and manual audits by people with disabilities cover what automation cannot. When it is time to publish, our accessibility statement generator produces a statement with the accessibility status, remediation plans and feedback route the regulations require.

For the latest and most accurate information on Maltese digital accessibility requirements, refer to the official documentation published by the Maltese government.